A professional consultant gives expert advice to businesses and organizations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the profession to grow by 83 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average growth for all jobs. With a median salary of more than $75,000, consultants also make well above the average pay of other workers. Consultants work with all types of organizations and industry sectors, including technology, marketing and non-profits. Consultants may work as independent contractors and often work for several different clients. Some consultants begin their careers as research associates or junior analysts. Professional consulting firms may hire consultants with a master's degree and several years of field experience.

Technology Consultants

Technology consultants are independent professionals who provide support for specific product lines. They usually obtain training and certification in specific hardware and software platforms. Organizations hire technology consultants when their internal resources and expertise are insufficient. Technology consultants analyze an organization's existing setup and make suggestions. Consultants strive to improve efficiency and quality. They also provide product solutions and support for an organization's technology needs. For instance, a technology consultant may offer solutions for a network that no longer meets capacity needs.

Management Analysts

Management analysts are professional consultants who look at an organization's structure, policies and practices. Some management analysts focus on increasing profitability, while others specialize in reducing turnover. Many projects are specific and detailed. A consumer goods manufacturer may hire a management analyst to address declining market share. An analyst may find a problem with the company's sales approach. The solution could focus on training sales representatives to take a customer-centric vs. transactional approach.

Market Research

Professional consultants who specialize in marketing figure out what products and services consumers need. Organizations hire market research consultants to help develop product development strategies. Market research consultants may help identify appropriate pricing and supply chain strategies. One of a market research consultant's responsibilities is analyzing the organization's competition. Competitor data often comes from secondary sources, such as trade magazines and company web sites. Marketing consultants collect consumer data through primary sources, such as surveys and focus groups. Consumer data that pertains to lifestyle preferences and demographics may also come from secondary sources.

Training

Some professional consultants specialize in training corporate staff. Training may focus on developing effective communication and presentation skills. Consultants could also train executives and middle management on effective leadership styles. For instance, a consultant might have to retrain managers in organizations that transition from traditional to flat structures. A traditional structure places more decision-making ability at the top, while a flat structure empowers middle to lower-level employees. Project and time management skills are other possible training specialties.

About the Author

Helen Akers specializes in business and technology topics. She has professional experience in business-to-business sales, technical support, and management. Akers holds a Master of Business Administration with a marketing concentration from Devry University's Keller Graduate School of Management and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Antioch University Los Angeles.